Bone Grafting

Major Bone Grafting | Sinus Lift | Ridge Expansion | Patient Reviews

What is Bone Grafting?

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for the placement of dental implants.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

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Major Bone Grafting

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip, or tibia (below the knee.)

Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of:

  • traumatic injuries
  • tumor surgery
  • or congenital defects

Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different sites depending on the size of the defect. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia) are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.

Sinus Lift Procedure

The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Sinuses are like empty rooms that have nothing in them.

Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.

There is a solution called a sinus graft or sinus lift graft. The dental implant surgeon enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then lifted upward and the donor’s bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw.

After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone. The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option other than wearing loose dentures.

If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.

Ridge Expansion

In severe cases, the ridge has been reabsorbed and a bone graft is placed to increase ridge height and/or width. This is a technique used to restore the lost bone dimension when the jaw ridge gets too thin to place conventional implants. In this procedure, the bony ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant.

Rocky Mount Periodontics and Implant Center

5 out of 5 stars based on 53 Bone Grafting reviews

Patient Review by Carolyn D

My treatment at the office was first rate. Appointments were made to accommodate my schedule. Everyone was great and if I need additional treatments I will not hesitate to come back.

- Carolyn D

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Steve B

Explained facts of my case clearly, along with options, and potential range of outcomes. Grafting procedure was apparently very successful. Look forward to selecting best option for replacing extracted tooth.

- Steve B

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by John B

Great Team!!! Great customer service!!! Debbie is good !!!! Sorry Dr.Kims a Redskins fan...lol

- John B

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Yvonne M

Dr Arrington is wonderful. Did a great job! Dr. Kim is wonderful. Very friendly staff. Very happy overall with my experience so far.

- Yvonne M

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by jim K

totally good experience for a periodontist

- jim K

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Gerald H

procedure and follow-up was excellent. Experienced no problems.

- Gerald H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by william e

good

- william e

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Jim T

The experience greatly exceeded my expectations. I had concerns about the work and I was assured the whole way through the procedure.

- Jim T

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Kay N

I was very anxious about my procedure. The staff and Doctor made me feel like their only patient for the day and I certainly was not. They treated me with compassion and the best possible care during and after the procedure. I have gotten along beautifully and can now recommend to anyone doing the same procedure that they will be fine also.

- Kay N

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Robert c

My experiences have generally been better than anticipated. No pain or discomfort which is a big plus!

- Robert c

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Kandice H

The staff at the office with Dr. Kim were very attentive and I was very pleased with the surgery and follow-up appointments. I will continue to see him if ever needed again. He informed me of everything that needed to be done and explained in great detail. He is very caring and enthusiastic about his work.

- Kandice H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Kandice H

Great staff and physician!

- Kandice H

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review by Tim G

I could not more highly recommend the Rocky Mount Periodontics and Implant Center. From start to finish, every facet of the care and customer service has been exemplary. Thank you all for making dental work fears fade with overwhelming affirmation and appreciation for all that you have done for me personally.

- Tim G

5 out of 5 stars on